
CIass_ _._ 
BooUSJ J/3 F3 
Gopyriglit*N?_ 



_ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

A Drama 
In Two Scenes 



by 

CHARLES V. H. ROBERTS 

Author of "The Great Conspiracy," 
"Myrrha," etc., etc. 



DRAMATIC ARTS COMPANY 
Boston 



f eV 






if 



C1A691783 
"Vie I 



Copyright, 1922, by 

Dramatic Arts Company 

All rights are expressly reserved. For 
rights of public performance, address the 
publishers, who are the author's agents. 



To My Daughters 

Eugenia and Margaret 

I dedicate this 

little book 



DEC 



CHARACTERS OF THE POEM 

Napoleon Bonaparte, Ex-Emperor of France 

Josephine, Ex-Empress of France and Di- 
vorced Wife of Napoleon 

Lucian, an Apprentice, surnamed "The Tru- 
ant Minstrel" 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Time: A. D. 1820 
Place: Island of St. Helena 

Scene I 

The Emperor's library in his hut at Long- 
wood. 

It is late at night. Outside, a tropical 
storm is raging and through two windows at 
back are seen great intermittent flashes of 
lightning made more ghastly by the moan- 
ing of winds and followed by rolling thun- 
der. 

The room is feebly lighted by two lamps, 
one distinguished on a mantel above a fire- 
place to the right, and the other on a table 
near the center of the room. 

Adjacent to the mantel is a sofa covered 
with calico. The other appointments con- 
sist of a small table, several guns and in con- 
trast to the general squalor of the place, a 
6 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

magnificent chest of drawers. Prominent 
in the foreground center is an old armchair. 
On the wall is a portrait of Marie Louise, 
another of the King of Rome and a small 
picture of Josephine. 

To the left at hack a door leads to an- 
other room. This is concealed by an old 
screen. 

The curtain rising discloses a young ap- 
prentice poorly clad sitting on a cushion near 
the armchair. He is tuning the strings of a 
guitar, talking all the while to the instru- 
ment. 
Lucian 

At St. Denis my playmates called me 
"Lucien, the Truant Minstrel," because 
on the doorsteps after school I fretted you 
while they danced. How? Know you 
not afterwards I ran away and became a 
drummer boy? O, our corps flew over 
the fields like grasshoppers among the 
warriors and steeds, while the dead were 
gathering fast to the music of clashing 
steel. 

7 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

I was wounded at Leipsic and returned 
to Paris. During the Hundred Days I 
played you among the servants in the Tuil- 
leries. Then on an evening when I was 
invited to jangle your strings among the 
lace knee-ruffles and grand dames at 
Court I won a touch of kindness from 
his Majesty. How now, old impudence! 
Your cleft is in the wrong place and so 
it has been ever since Waterloo. 
Blown by sadness seaward we crossed 
the Equator to this mournful island. Tut, 
tut, could it be otherwise? My blood is 
alive and my heart bursts for the Em- 
peror. What a great eagle is caged in 
this rotting hut, while that goggling frog 
Louis sputters in the Tuilleries and cries 
for perfumery. 'Twas shameful — 'tis pit- 
iful! O most lamentable Time! 
To the subversion of every right held sa- 
cred between nations, Napoleon asked for 
protection — chains are what he receives 
upon this dreary rock. The simplest fam- 
ily communications never before denied 
8 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

anyone have been refused him. So, in 
the open sky hangs his Star of Destiny 
dripping tears of red reflection — fiery pet- 
als falling from a name at which, not 
many moons past, the world trembled. 
By the bones of all the French Kings 
stolen from the crypt of St. Denis this 
deed stains a black hand across the pages 
of history. 

O, I am out of humour with everything, 
and you are out of tune. Why do you 
fret beneath the touch of my fingers? 
What is it that disturbs you ? The storm ? 
Everything I see, everything I hear is sad. 
(Rolling thunder.) 

What a night! But my muse is my taste. 
The Emperor has sent for us to play for 
him. Hark — he comes! Promise now 
to do your best and that's the most the 
best of us can do. 

(Enter Napoleon from behind the 
screen. The Emperor's step is fee- 
hie but still precise. His hands arc 
clenched tightly behind his back.) 
9 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Napoleon (approaching the center of the 
room.) 

Well, all is done; I'm simply free to 
breathe. 

44 And, Captain! guard him well" — is all 
I hear. 

St. James decrees me "General Bona- 
parte;" 

Napoleon chosen Emperor of the French 

Who made kings and unmade them twenty 
years, 

Bequeaths his sovereignty to balladists. 

Well, call me what they please, they can- 
not take 

From me the fact of being I — myself. 
(Sounds of moaning winds, a flash 
of lightning, followed by rolling thun- 
der.) 

O life, thou hast a jangling ring; go on! 

Thy slave capitulates, — for Hope lies 
dead! 
(Sighs deeply.) 

Accursed is he who strives for noble ends 

For he falls oft to basest injuries. 
10 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

(Seats himself dejectedly in the arm- 
chair) 
Thus here I rest me in this cushioned chair 
Mere ghost of man that looks upon his past 
As on the stage and what is acted there. 

Lucien 

Sent you for me, your Majesty? 

Napoleon 

Yes, lad. 

Lucien (to himself) 

O that I could play here some harmonies 
That would uncage this noble bird. Alas ! 

Napoleon (seriously) 

Lucien, man is only a fringe in the world, 
whether on the crowded battlefields or 
these craggy cliffs of solitude. He is 
sewn together by prerogative and torn 
asunder by privilege. Therefore, what's 
all to the purpose? Should the whole of 
creation become uneasy because the merit 
of mankind was bestowed upon one sin- 
gle person? If war is an effected con- 
vulsion against Nature, why then there 
11 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

is no proceeding on earth that can prove 
man brave. 

Lucien 

But France has lost her Emperor through 
war. 

Napoleon 

Nay, she's decayed in power, not in glory. 

(Reaching to the table he picks up 

a parchment map and loofys over it 

sadly) 
Ah, Jena, Wagram, Egypt, Austerlitz — 

(flash of lightning) 

cherish each of these my victories! 
Ah, Lucien — could men but see my soul! 

1 am so hurt, I feel as if all Hell 

Were in my heart. Play me some music, 

boy: 
Surely that is the half of ministering, 
But you so young know not what music 

brings 
To those in misery. 

Lucien 

My Emperor. 
12 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

I at your call have come; let's not be sad. 

Napoleon 

In many, gay demeanor hides their woe. 
Lucien 

And I will not let you be sorrowful. 
Napoleon 

No hope for that, for I am woe itself. 
Lucien 

O Sire you are the noblest man that 

breathed 
Beneath the sun-illumined domes of 
France. 
Napoleon 

From your averted cheeks the colour's 

fled 
And are those eyelids moist for me? 
Lucien (trying to hide his tears) 

Alas, 
Alas, I cannot help it, Emperor. 
Here is it stamped in black on England's 

soul 
That you are on this desert rocky isle 
(moaning rvinds) 
13 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

And must endure the dreadful sweep of 

storms, 
These weary leagues from nearest human- 
kind. 
Napoleon 

Have I related with unconscious tongue 
Mine own afflictions and calamities? 
Lucien 

Ah wherefore not? O France should 
witness this! 
Napoleon 

Grieving we should not multiply the griefs 
Of others; rather cheer or give them hope. 
Lucien 

But greatness has been wronged — here's 
foul abuse — 
Napoleon (interrupting) 

'Tis not so much th' abuse of greatness, 

lad, 
As that of trust which makes men sor- 
rowful ; 
The heart grows hard in Nature, when is 

lost 
The confidence of human fellowship; 
14 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

To feed upon the winter crumbs of Fate 

While Europe shrugs and smiles on my 
estate. 

(rvith agitation) 

The devil's foot is in ambition; true, — 

But his whole body's in ingratitude; 

That ugly shadow creeps across the soul 

In utter scorn of all that once appeared 

Respect for honest obligations. 

True then on reaching life's last battle- 
field 

'Tis scarcely strange when viewing our 
career 

That sovereign Reason grows ashamed of 
this 

Poor frame and system of stupidity. 

So is the struggle past, and here I stand 

Befooled by juggling arts of pain well 
met 

With me — Imperial nothingness, — no 
more! 
Lucien 

Your Majesty, shall I play more? 
17 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Napoleon (gazing out of the window at the 
storm ?) 

Yes, lad, 
For we can batter any storm with song, 
Because it's nigh to heaven, (to himself) 

Soon he will sleep. 
How kind in all! God makes provision 

wise: 
The fickle temper of the young needs 

sleep, 

But older souls must be resolved in thought 

And dull attendance on their consciences. 

(The boy attempts to play but 

quickly falls asleep. Napoleon gazes 

tenderly at the lad for a moment, 

then suddenly up to the portrait of 

his son.) 

Sweet boy, O my own son! I'd give my 

throne 
And all the wonders of the wide-spread 

world 
For just the touch of your dear baby 

hands ; 
To see you as you nestled in my arms, 
18 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

O, and so winsome! on your mother's 

breast ; 
But I've no throne to give and it has cost 
Me you. You were so precious to my 
France 

(Looking sadly at the picture of Jo- 
sephine,) 
That her, most precious to my heart, I 
wronged. 

(Pause) 
How populous the mind when it's alone, 
Housing the ghosts of past companionship 
Or imps unparadised from memory, 
That sting us with remorse and vain re- 
grets 
For treatment of the ones we loved, now 

gone: 
That we would treat them kindlier if they 
Returned, soothes not the sting, for self- 
reproach 
But holds remorse more surely in its fangs. 

(bitterly) 
This rocky isle has poured into my veins 
The dregs of its own bleak sterility. 
19 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

God, what after all are glory, fame, 

Mine elevated aims, accomplishments 

When Nature's circle clouds the stars with 
grief! 

1 see no light, grief has so closed mine 
eyes. (Pause) 

Ah well! now am I nothing. Naught 
can do? 

Grow old perhaps, and dream — and then 

— must die. 

(with agitation) 
Win all the lands and seas beneath the 

skies 
Bright gemmed with beauteous stars, our 

world is scarce 
Worth taking leave of, holding it without 
The trust of man. So: have I done my 

part? 

(Seating himself again in the chair) 
The doctor claims my end is near. If true 
Where then will history's censure fall? 

On me, 
As Folly looks on greatness, babbling out 
20 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

The dead's shortcomings to posterity. 

(Pause) 
Go kind solicitude! I've no remorse 
Nor am I filled with self-disgusts and vain 
Regrets that mount the terrace steps of 
Death. 

(tpiih increasing agitation) 

Death, a word I never feared, and yet 
Last of myself — I feel 'tis hard to die: 
Oft kind to die but not a kindliness 
That I should not have died at Waterloo; 
Nor left Life's battlements and stormy seas 
Before the waves of mine Imperial Guard 
Whose crests were broken, roaring for 

their prey. 
The sum of Fate's unmerciful if now 

1 pass without my legions to the stars; 
I've stood so often on the brink of death 
I've felt my soul belch fire, while angry 

blasts 
Lashed loud-lamenting waves of memory 
'Til they rose up like ghosts in horrid fear 
And charged upon the sands of Con- 
science 

21 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

O unsubstantial universe! Tell me 
What recompense have I for having made 
The law of nations? Having washed the 

eyes 

Of kings to clearer insight in the Codes 

Of war? The sole return disgraceful ease 

In banishment. How cowardly their 
guile 

To trap by fraud an honourable foe! 

This deed brands England's brow with 
perfidy 

And history shall ring out against her 
crime. 

See then men's judgments and their qual- 
ity! 

It fits not that conditions care for us 

Nor value what is best when shorn of 
power ; 

Thus in adversity I stand defamed. 
(A loud peal of thunder) 

O God, who hold'st this eagle's body 
bound 

Within the circle of the turgid sea, 
22 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Have pity, Thou, upon my soul's distress. 

(more calmly) 
This drowsiness ! it must be midnight, now, 
That hour when silence takes on strang- 
est shapes 
'Twixt unpropitious winds and skyey 
darks. 

(head falls forward on his breast) 
Sadness with wreathed arms oft brings on 

sleep 
Which saves us by its sweet encourage- 
ments. 

(He falls asleep. There is a vivid 
flash of lightning followed by a deaf- 
ening crash of thunder, then all is 
thrown in utter darkness.) 



23 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

THE EAGLE BOUND 

Scene 2 

One hour later 

Same setting as Scene I 

The sound of moaning winds continues, 
though the thunder and lightning have seem- 
ingly abated. The light grows gradually 
stronger. 

Napoleon is discovered still sleeping in the 
armchair. His companion also sleeps. 

Suddenly from behind the screen a figure 
appears. In the dim light it is distinguished, 
clad in white and veiled. Slowly it glides 
up to where the Emperor rests. It stoops, 
touches Napoleon gently, then walks some 
distance away from him appearing to have 
turned facing the point where it had entered. 
The Figure (standing half-way between the 
screen and chair in which the Emperor 
is sleeping.) 

24 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Napoleon ! 
Napoleon (opening and rubbing his eyes like 
one awakening from a trance.) 

Whichever way, 'tis war. 
I tell you France is stirred at last — 'tis 
war. 
The Figure (gliding closer) 

Napoleon! Still dreaming? Bonaparte! 

Napoleon (striking his head several times 
Tvith clenched fist) 
What new ill now comes in this prison 

house 
To plague its feeble and unresting cells? 
The Figure (still louder) 
Napoleon ! 

Napoleon (rising up in sudden terror) 
What voice is calling me? 
See, see, there goes my soul, as if to fly 
On wings from these clay bars ! 
The Figure (tenderly) 

How he has aged! 
Almost an old, old man, and yet so 



young ! 



25 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Napoleon 

O everlasting wrath! the battle's lost! 
What bloody work is here? All's quiet 

now 
'Mid broken spears, bent guns and writh- 
ing forms. 

(He starts and again gazes wildly 
at the phantom) 
What means this shape, this vision in the 

dark? 
Look now it moves. Avaunt, and fade, 

for thou 
Canst vex no more! Art thou St. Helena, 
The guardian-saint of this volcanic isle 
From ocean's floor upcast to be my doom? 
Come down ye saints above, give me a 

torch ! 
I'll not be roofed and walled in hideous 
gloom. 
The Figure 

He raves — O what a grief is this! To see 
The tides of life tear mind so from its base. 
26 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Napoleon (excitedly) 

I who have grinned when thousands went 

to doom, 
Now gasp for air. The very elements 
Are strangling me. What is that misty 
form? 

(Rushing towards the phantom) 
Hither with aid of lightning I will see! 

(Gazing at it intently, then begin- 
ning to recover and realize.) 
'Tis not a sky-dropped shield, nor citadel. 
It fills the dark — the spray forms here a 

cloud 
Of twisted gold and chequered plaids that 

hide 
Some chaste nymph in a cushioned chariot. 

(With affected tenderness) 
Speak, thou bewildered little ghost! Dost 

like 
The realms of earth? An exiled Em- 
peror's cage? 
The Figure (turning about and facing the 
Emperor) 

27 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Napoleon! Come face to face, behold 
Your wife. 
Napoleon (reeling backwards) 
O God, my Josephine! 
Josephine 

'Tis she. 
Napoleon 

What now? is this the spirit world? 

Comes this 
Release, expecting but a hurl of bolts? 
My wife, my wife! 
Josephine 

Are you so sure, your "wife?" 
Napoleon 

Can you forgive, for 'twas — 
Josephine 

O spare excuse! 
Napoleon (dreamily) 

She has her ways and all her sweetest 

smiles, 
In every gesture dignity and grace. 

(seizing her arm) 
And you — you live? or have eternities 
Come down to mock me? 
28 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Josephine 

No, 'tis not amiss 
That I've returned. 

Napoleon 

Nay, sweet the joy. O faith 
Of days gone by: 'twas your soul 

haunting me 
That turned my conquests to defeat, and 

drove 
Me to this desert rock. Ah Josephine! 
Into what deep and secret clefts have I 
Been thrown to hear the tones of your 
sweet voice? 
Josephine (sadly) 

I please you dead, more than I pleased 
in life. 

Napoleon 

O why say this to one who has lost all? 

Josephine 

Still your affections turn to war and fame! 

Napoleon 

False destiny! No, take me from it now, 
29 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

My Josephine! Sweet breath of tender- 
ness, 

Most precious passion I have ever known! 
My love! O how may I — 
Josephine 

Look back — 
Napoleon 

Dear heart! 
Though I was weak I loved you. Love's 

strength lies 
Oft in the fervor of its worshippers, 
More often in its own divinity. 
I can recall the loneliness that filled 
My tent in Egypt as I wrote to you 
Amidst the shades of night, ere coming 

dawn 
Had spread its warmth across the desert 

sands. 
Burned not the fire of love in every line 
In passion rising to the Lybian stars? 
Ah Josephine — 

Josephine (dreamily) 

Again I read those lines; 

30 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

How much was real, how much was 

merely writ, 
You, only you can tell. 
Napoleon 

They made the Sphinx 
Shed tears. O let me pause! Is this you? 
No! 

She died at Malmaison. 
Josephine Perhaps. 

Napoleon 

Yet such 
Appealing eyes come not in dreams, nor 

such 
A touch of graceful sweetness from a 

ghost ; 
But still she's dead. 
Josephine 

Dead only to the sight 
(looking into his face) 
Ah, how my heart has grieved! 
Napoleon 

O, pardon me 
That I have made a grave deep in your 
heart. 

31 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Josephine 

Napoleon, my spirit is content; 
The pain was that I could not comfort 
you. 
Napoleon 

You were my jewel — life's foundation 

stone, 
While all this sorrow weighed upon my 
heart. 
Josephine 

I know the bitter pains you have endured, 
The curse that burdened you. 
Napoleon 

Yes, I have changed. 
(seizing and embracing her passion- 
ately) 
O eyes, O you twin stars, serene and calm, 
Open the treasure of your spirit light! 
And lips, O warm rose petals you, of 

Love 
Breathe here upon my cheek. 
Josephine (kissing him tenderly) 

I so love you! 
32 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Napoleon 

Richest and best of women to my arms ; 
Something is truer in that kiss of soul, 
Softer and purer than the fragrant morn. 
Josephine 

And from the first I loved you — that 

you know; 
Now crushed love rises strong again, and 
lives. 
Napoleon 

How could I other? O 'twas horrible! 
(moving suddenly away from her) 
Does jest hold here? Is this a dream out- 
dreamt? 

Josephine (drawing him back to her) 
Nay feel my heart — you are, I am, 

Napoleon 

Enough ! 
If true, then surely what the will desires 
Must through its pain again return to life 
In surges of some stranger consciousness. 

Josephine 

So whom we love is but a part of us ; 
33 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

The law that cast me off broke not the 

bond, 
Thus I've returned. 
Napoleon 

Nay, you were never gone. 
My Star's decree was stronger than my 

will; 
Go blood-besprent Ambition, go with all 
Thy shifting wars — go sink thee in th' 

abyss 
Of Hell! 
Josephine 

Forswear, forswear it, Bonaparte, 
That you yourself may triumph o'er your- 
self. 
Napoleon 

I swear; and had I here a sword I'd burst 
The firmament and seize Fate cowering 
there. 
Josephine 

And even to the end? 
Napoleon 

The end. 
34 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Josephine (pointing to her wedding ring) 

'Tis there 
Upon my finger still, — thy vow, to cher- 
ish still. 
Napoleon (stooping and k^ ssm § the ring) 

Indeed I swear. 
Josephine 

Unto eternity? 
Napoleon (solemnly) 
'Tis sworn. 

(The stage grows very dark- Her 
figure is now discovered moving 
backwards towards the screen) 

She fades! 
(Distant music and singing is heard) 
Josephine 

I feel the Peace of God! 
And Heaven calls me home ! 
Napoleon 

She seems to rise 
Into the crystal battlements of heaven. 
(the singing and low music continue) 
Josephine 

Beloved, you shall be with me anon 
35 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

In paradise! Upon an emerald hill 
Beyond the golden stars, in perfect peace 
Eternally. I've watched you tenderly, 
My love sunsetting into prayer as hours 
Within my soul recalled the perished days 
Of life, that sculptured Time in slowest 

forms 
Of History. Grief's yearning, dear, so 

oft 
Was answered only by the sighs of stars. 
Napoleon 

What hear I now? What promise is this 

made 
By winged words that flow from radiant 

Heaven? 
Josephine 

Time passes swift: behold the growing 

shades : 
The mystery of the life beyond lies near, 
While for those ages that have gone we 

will 
Not pine. Be brave! Eternal joy is safe 
From Death. Fear not these silences in- 
walled 

36 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Beneath the tapestries and silks of heaven. 
Though sweet is oft oblivion of sleep, 
Sweeter that sleep beyond oblivion! 

Napoleon 

Whence falls that shadow? Have I 

cause to pray? 
To me it seems as if the Hand of Heaven 
Were moulded but to plague mankind. 

Josephine 

O list! 
Anon the rumour of your illness cast 
Its death-lamp ray e'en into Paradise. 
And told its aching agony, as in 
The centuries before, the ghosts of kings 
Wailed o'er the perished cities of the Nile. 

Napoleon 

A past bereaved, which should have been 

divine 
In flames of younger immortalities! 

Josephine 

Euphrates wandered like a thread of 

gold 
Across the arid sands, while Babel's kings 
Spilled wine from consecrated cups to gods 
37 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Of brass and bronze, of wood and stone, 

until 
The writing showed upon the palace wall. 
Napoleon 

'Twill put on me the writ of Destiny! 
Josephine 

I was confused and strangely sad, yet glad 
Amid our colonnades of marble echoing 
With high discussions of diviner things. 
A moment's wound of piteousness and 

then, 
I dreamed afar to earth. A song of 

dawn 
Rose from the prophesying stars, then 

Love 
Again breathed on my spirit's solitude. 
Your eyes were closed in sleep; but like 

the shells 
Upon the coral reefs that sleep beneath 
The depths of moon-stirred tides, they 

woke, as dawn 
Spreads o'er the sea of immortality. 
Then sailed the ship of mine undying love 
With mariners of angels for its crew. 
38 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

So passionately I kissed your dreaming 

eyes 
As in those desert twilights where the 

Sphinx 
Caressed by shadows of the pyramids 
Sighed jealously above our trysting place. 
Soon in the Palace of Eternity 
To songs that never knew a chord of pain 
Our troth's replighted, which no Death 
can part. 
Napoleon 

Beloved, you pass from me! my love, my 
love! 

(He gropes wildly about in a vain 
endeavor to take her again in his 
arms) 
Have I caressed too much your scented 

hair? 
Have I too oft slept there upon your 

breast 
And planned campaigns to overthrow the 
world ? 
Josephine (almost unseen) 

Farewell, Napoleon, farewell, dear heart! 
39 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Remember as I leave 'tis manifest 

If not your Empress, I'm in truth your 

wife. 
Ah what more favor can I do than love? 
Napoleon (pacing about wildly in the dark) 
Stand in the light, why hide in yonder 

dark? 
I fain would kiss those dewy lips again. 
Josephine 

We all must one day suffer ; all who have 
With reason been endowed, both strong 

and weak. 
Do not complain of God's deserting you, 
Nor mine in after woes. 

(again moving behind the screen) 

I leave you now 
Alone to read your book of memories. 
Such is my charge; whene'er you summon 

me 
To counsel and to comfort you, I'll come. 
Napoleon (in tones of rvild despair) 

O piteous fading — Josephine! oh stay! 
Are there no sunbeams that can hold the 
sun? 

40 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Hold, hold, hold, hold, my love! Where 
now am I? 

(He gropes about in the semi-dark- 
ness. In his rvild despair he falls 
for a moment to his k nces > th en as if 
suddenly recovering his strength rises 
again and stands erect.) 

So then all's false but wretched cloys of 
life 

In which I am the smallest part of nought. 

O, O ye phantoms of Ambition's fall 
Hold you much longer here this eagle 
bound? 

(Vivid flash of lightning, followed 
fcj a terrible crash of thunder.) 
Fair vision in the tempest's womb con- 
ceived ! 
How if, I say that this has been a dream? 
Ha, ha ! has been a most fantastic dream ! 
Here in night's crooked characters a fool 
Has sworn himself to some ghost's crim- 
son soul. 

(in calmer tones) 
41 



THE EAGLE BOUND 

Traitress! no, no, she's not that — no, no, 

no! 
The voice was Josephine's, my empress 

dear. 

(rushing behind the screen) 
I follow to your kingdom, lead me on! 

CURTAIN 



u 



■■HI 

.L'BRAry OF CONGRESS 




